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What began as my first journey to North Annapurna Base Camp became much more than a trek—it became my first real experience of leading, learning, and discovering my confidence as a guide.
From June 5 to 8, I had the opportunity to trek to North Annapurna Base Camp for the first time, not only as a traveller but also as an assistant guide. This journey became one of the most memorable trekking experiences of my life and gave me a new perspective on guiding, teamwork, responsibility, and the beauty of Nepal’s mountains.
Our group consisted of 18 Nepali guests from different age groups and backgrounds. We had people around the age of parents and others who had recently completed their +2 or bachelor’s studies. I joined the team as an assistant guide alongside a senior guide. Since this was my first experience taking responsibility for a group of this size, I initially felt a little nervous. However, the guests were very friendly and supportive, which helped me become comfortable and confident as the trek progressed.
We started our journey from Balaju Bus Park in Kathmandu on the evening of June 5. After travelling through Pokhara, Beni, and Tatopani, we reached Tatopani early the following morning. After having tea, breakfast, and some refreshments, we continued by jeep towards Hum Khola. Around 7:00–7:30 in the morning, we reached Hum Khola, where our trekking journey officially began.
From Hum Khola, we started walking through the beautiful mountain landscape towards Futfutey and then Sadhikharka before continuing towards Bhusket Mela, where we spent our first night on the trekking route. The trail itself was one of the highlights of the journey. We walked through peaceful landscapes, green hills, rocky sections, and beautiful waterfalls. Travelling in June also meant that the waterfalls were flowing strongly, adding even more beauty to the trail.
The following morning, we started our hike from Bhusket Mela at around 4:00 AM, heading towards Panchakunda Lake. After several hours of walking through the early-morning mountain trail, we reached the lake at around 7:30 AM. At an elevation of approximately 4,050 metres, Panchakunda was one of the most beautiful highlights of the journey. The peaceful lake, surrounding mountains, and quiet morning atmosphere created an unforgettable experience.
From Panchakunda, we continued towards North Annapurna Base Camp. Reaching the base camp for the first time was a special moment for me. The signboard at the site marks Annapurna I Base Camp at 4,150 metres, and standing there with the mountains directly in front of us made the long journey feel completely worthwhile.
What impressed me most about North Annapurna Base Camp was its natural and peaceful environment. I had previously visited South Annapurna Base Camp, where there are more hotels, tea shops, and facilities for visitors. South ABC can be a great option for travellers looking for more facilities and infrastructure. However, for people who want a quieter and more natural Himalayan experience, I found North Annapurna Base Camp to be an excellent destination.
The waterfalls along the North ABC trail were another memorable part of the journey. During June, the flow of water was impressive, and the combination of waterfalls, green landscapes, rocky trails, and snow-covered mountains made the route incredibly scenic.
For me, however, the most valuable part of this trek was the opportunity to experience guiding. Walking with 18 guests taught me that being a guide is not simply about knowing the trail. It is also about understanding people, communicating clearly, maintaining the group’s pace, paying attention to different needs, and taking responsibility for the overall journey.
As an assistant guide, I had the opportunity to observe, ask questions, learn from the senior guide, and gradually take more responsibility. At the beginning, I was unsure of myself because everything was new. But as the trek continued, my confidence increased. By the end of the journey, I felt that I had gained practical knowledge that cannot be learned only from books or training.
This experience also made me think more deeply about trekking tourism and the potential of lesser-known destinations in Nepal. North Annapurna Base Camp is sometimes associated mainly with climbing, but my experience showed me that it can also be a wonderful trekking destination for people who simply want to experience nature, mountains, waterfalls, and peaceful surroundings.
Another advantage is that North ABC can be experienced through a relatively short trekking itinerary. With a suitable plan and transportation, the journey can be completed in only a few days. It can also be made more flexible by adding additional days for travellers who prefer a slower pace and more time to explore.
I believe Nepal has many beautiful destinations that deserve greater recognition. North Annapurna Base Camp is one of them. With better destination promotion, responsible tourism practices, and opportunities for local people to work as trained trekking guides, destinations like North ABC can create both memorable experiences for travellers and meaningful employment opportunities for young people.
For me, this trek was much more than reaching a destination. It was my first visit to North Annapurna Base Camp, my first opportunity to assist in leading a group of 18 guests, and an important step in my journey of learning about trekking and guiding.
The trail, Panchakunda Lake, waterfalls, mountains, peaceful surroundings, supportive guests, and the responsibility of guiding all made this journey truly memorable.
If someone asks me to recommend a destination in Nepal for natural beauty, peaceful surroundings, mountain views, and a short Himalayan adventure, North Annapurna Base Camp would definitely be one of my recommendations.
This was my first North Annapurna Base Camp trek, but I hope it will not be my last. It gave me beautiful memories, valuable experience, and greater confidence to continue learning and growing as a trekking guide.
